In 1629, the village of Kailzie in Traquair, Peebles, bore witness to one of the numerous witchcraft accusations that swept across Scotland during this tumultuous period. Among the twenty-seven individuals who found themselves caught in the throes of suspicion and fear was Margaret Dicksoun. The records from the case, identified as C/EGD/636, date to June 11th of that year, marking a dark chapter in Margaret’s life and the local community. Although details are sparse, her mention alongside such a large group suggests the widespread and communal nature of the accusations, rather than the result of personal vendettas.
Sadly, little is known about the trial itself or the specific allegations against Margaret, as the trial notes, logged under T/JO/570, disclose no further details. The lack of documentation underscores a broader historical pattern where the proceedings against accused witches were often shrouded in secrecy and undocumented decisions. This absence of detailed records leaves modern historians with only fragmentary glimpses into her trial experience, reflecting the opaque nature of legal processes for alleged witches during the early modern period in Scotland. Margaret Dicksoun’s story is emblematic of the many untold tales of those swept up in the wave of witch hunts, whose lives were irrevocably altered in the shadow of fear and superstition.